[///RMan]

Long long ago, when travelling outside the city did not require a travel permit, began discussions about the annual driving trip of Autodose.

Autodose is a group of friends, primarily based out of Mumbai, with people sharing similar interests about everything mechanical under the sun.

A frenzy of discussions ensued and a lot of deliberation and debate later, the unanimous outcome for the trip, was the weekend of 13th to 15th December 2019, keeping in mind everyones scheduled engagements and availability for the said weekend.

The next obvious conversation veered towards the destination. From the rather natural choice of destination - Goa, right up to Mt. Abu and everything in between were discussed. However, a rather unique destination, Aurangabad, came up trumps.
Aurangabad was chosen due to its proximity to Mumbai for a rather short (3 day) sojourn, and also since everyone involved wanted to head to an off-beat destination, something that wouldn't otherwise be picked for a trip of this sort.


With the date of departure coming close, a multitude of routes were mooted, screenshots of maps shared, feedback collected from people who had done the same route in the recent past - all in all to ensure the most comfortable, stress free route is picked.
Comfortable and stress free not for the people involved, but for the cars!
When I say comfortable, we did not intend to take it on roads that would test the car beyond their limitations, but rather wished to ensure these babies get to stretch their legs and are put through a thorough 'long drive'.

And since we're on the topic of cars, the final list of cars that made the trip - an eclectic mix just like the people themselves!

1. Mercedes-Benz C126 380SEC
2. Mercedes-Benz W123 300D
3. Mercedes-Benz W211 E280
4. Mercedes-Benz C117 CLA45 AMG
5. Skoda Octavia vRS Mk3
6. Volkswagen Polo GTi Mk5

If you've followed my previous threads, you'd know I have an obnoxiously high number of pictures in my posts. As always, the above six cars were abundantly photographed for the next three days. And posted below are selectively chosen ones from the lot (yes! these are only a part of the total pics)


13th of December, 2019
Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai

5:30AM was the time of congregation at Bandra-Kurla Complex, which was the most convenient location for everyone coming in from different parts of the city.




In no time, we were off! The C126 doing what it was meant to - munching miles. On its longest journey thus far, the C126 showed how well-built cars were from this era.


A friend of ours, scheduled to join us for the drive, had to sadly drop out owing to sudden work commitments. But, he joined us till the Expressway before heading his way.


Every pit-stop was meticulously detailed much before we actually hit the roads. Here, we stopped at the Food Court just after the first toll on Mumbai-Pune Expressway for a quick coffee break.


The 300D on its maiden drive outside Bombay city limits, in its current ownership at least, showed time and again why the W123 is called bullet-proof!


The Starry Trio!






Grandson out with his great-grandfather!






The C126 380SEC is an attention magnet and how!


Topping up fuel for that thirsty V8.


The zippy, nimble and blisteringly quick CLA45 surprised us, taking bad patches and more in its stride.


The weekend was certainly quite an automotive-centric one, with the Valley Run happening at Aamby Valley. An impromptu meet up with a couple of friends heading to the event in their souped up Esteem and the delicious looking Zen Carbon.




The W211 E280s dead silent petrol motor, and great highway capabilities made it an automatic choice for a drive like this.




Super quick off the line while keeping passengers ensconced in comfort at unmentionable speeds is what this sedate looking monster is capable of.


The GTi was too fast for the cameras and took off after the first stop. We did not get a glimpse of it till after the Talegaon Toll Plaza!

Breathtakingly beautiful this one - the only 380SEC in India!






The Constellation!





The W123 300D trudged along the E-Way like a locomotive, with the occasional rumble of the diesel motor adding to the experience. Seen here are the other Stars in its ORVM.




A couple of uniquely angled pictures, clicked from the sunroof of the SEC.

[///RMan]

The next stop was an extremely quick tea break. And another photo-op!














After the break, we drove 200km non-stop onwards to Aurangabad. Each car performed exceedingly well, with absolutely no hiccups!
About 40kms after crossing Ahmednagar, we soon congregated for lunch at Kamats Restaurant.






After a hearty meal, we headed out to our end destination for the day, The Lemon Tree,Aurangabad, which lay 90kms ahead.

All the cars lining up outside the hotel during the security check created quite the scene.














Parked away for the day after a superb drive.




The staff at the Lemon Tree were quick with the check-ins and we retired to the rooms for the day. Dinner was had in the hotel itself as we got too lazy to head out into the city.


14th of December 2019

Early next morning, with breakfast satiating our appetites, we headed to Ellora Caves. The SEC, CLA45 were left back in the hotel, while the W211 took our leave and headed homewards to Bombay.

I piloted the W123 on the way to Ellora.


The cars at the Ellora Caves parking lot.

[///RMan]

The Kailash Temple and Ellora Caves in all its glory!






















On the way back, I hopped into the drivers seat of the GTi. The tiny car was a hoot on the twisties!






A quick stop on the way back to the hotel.








We spotted a Mazda 626 rotting away in a field.








A late late lunch ensued at this absolutely fabulous place - Kream N Krunch
Lip-smacking food and outstanding desserts, a definite recommendation for anyone and everyone heading towards Aurangabad.




Back at the hotel, cars parked away for the day.




Dinner by the poolside, bringing end to a long day as well as the trip in principle. The next morning we were to be home-bound!

[///RMan]

15th of December 2019


A splendid breakfast later, we bid adieu to the Lemon Tree which had been a fantastic host for our stay.






Before heading out of Aurangabad, we headed to the N.A. Printer Fuel Pump, which is one of the oldest fuel stations in the city.








After topping up fuel, we began the journey homeward.



















About a couple of hours into the drive, we took for our first break. Tea and cold-coffees were gulped down fast and quick and we were back on the road.

[///RMan]

About 20-25kms outside of Talegaon, and before hitting the Pune-Mumbai Expressway, we stopped for a quick 5 minute break to swap drivers, use the restroom etc.













The quaint IndianOil pump made for a fantastic backdrop against the majestic SEC.




A few rolling shots of the cars as we made way towards Talegaon.
































A done-up F30 replete with M3 badges we spotted in a tiny village en-route. Guess there's M fans everywhere!


A few pictures clicked of the surrounding, while on the drive back.

[///RMan]

Before hitting the Expressway, I had to supervise some work going on in our home just off the E-Way.
Everyone graciously agreed to taking the quick detour to the place, and that only meant another photo opportunity!

[///RMan]

And after that short stopover, were were off, Mumbai calling...

On the connector that leads you onto the E-Way.


The W123 munching miles!


The CLA45 had taken off earlier when the rolling shots were taken, and the E-Way presented the opportunity to get that done with.








The final pitstop, at the Food Court on the E-Way.








The 80's show!
Edited the above picture a little differently to give it an period-correct vibe. Barring the background, definitely looks straight out of the 80s me thinks!






The W123 had a loose hose-pipe at the end of E-Way, and thus, one final stop (and the only time in three days when we had to halt to check on a car)

When checking on the same, we observed how brake dust had changed the colour shade of the Pentas altogether! Check the difference up front and behind :O


A close-up of the front wheel.


One last picture of this beauty


The fantastic three days of great driving, great food, great company and above all - great cars.
From the tuned modern day cars upto the classics from the 80s, not a single car needed as much as a minute of attention. A testament to how well kept cars hold up on their own and perform during these long drives, and more often than not, surprise everyone, the owner included.

A culmination of extensive planning spread over a month and half, the Aurangabad drive was definitely a memorable one and we only hope that this kicks off a juggernaut with more drives, near and far, with more cars and more people involved.

A few of the above pictures have been clicked by friends and it would not be just to not thank them for the same.
The thread had been a long time coming, and the lockdown did offer the perfect chance to pull out these pictures and share it with people here on TBHP. Hope you'll enjoyed the pictures and the little text I've managed to pen down. Cheers!

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Travelogues Section. Thanks for sharing!

A thread full of eye candy. Every time I read your threads, I want to head out on the highway, ///RMan! Alas, the lockdown. Can't wait for the restrictions to lift. Excellent thread as always - it's as if you took us with you for the drive . Going to homepage today .

[asit.kulkarni93]

Wow! Awesome pictures man. The old Mercs look fabulous. The C126 is so rare and well kept. I am surprised to see a W211 E280 Petrol. There are very few of them around and my neighbour had one for a while. Cold starts of the E280 were pure music to ears. This thread has multiplied the craving for a proper drive.

[amods]

Wow Wow ! The SEC and 123 are absolute gems. I am more biased towards the SEC, what a timeless design, absolute drool-worthy !

Great pictures, there. Thanks for sharing such a soul relaxing post.

[sharktale]

Originally Posted by ///RMan

Cheers!

Kudos to you for such brilliant snaps! Droolworthy post!
I have made this my phone's lockscreen wallpaper after a slight edit. Hope you don't mind it. Your watermark hasn't been tampered with

[Moontan]

What a wonderful and diverse collection of machines!

If I may ask, what are the power specs of the 380? That car is a beauty!

[edges]

Wow very pleased to read the trip log along with great pictures....very eager to take a trip near bangalore in my Merc W211 E200 Compressor after reading this elaborate log.

[AZT]

Originally Posted by ///RMan

And since we're on the topic of cars, the final list of cars that made the trip - an eclectic mix just like the people themselves!

1. Mercedes-Benz C126 380SEC
2. Mercedes-Benz W123 300D
3. Mercedes-Benz W211 E280

Beautiful snaps These cars look supremely maintained, kudos to the owners.

[iliketurtles]

Lovely pictures, and great food for thought in these times when we're all cooped up at home and dreaming of highway runs. The pics of the 380 were drool-worthy, as were all the others too.

And now, back to playing Need for Speed to get my daily dose of high octane, socially distanced thrills.